Warning sign



Oct. 17, H, BAKER 2,176,619

WARNING SIGN Filed April 26, 1959 Inventor Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to safety placards and warning signs such as are employed, and often required by-State and Federal authorities, to be used on tank cars and equivalent conveyances containing and transporting inflammable gasoline and the like. Persons familiar with rules and regulations governing the handling of such dangerous commodities, are also familiar with various styles of disposable paper and cardboard placards such as are now used despite certain recognized disadvantages arising out of the readily destroyablemakeshift character thereof.

Precautionary measures teach that tanks must be loaded with outlet valve caps off, and all are aware that the valves must not permit more than a mere dropping of liquid. It is recognized too that inflammable liquids must not be loaded into domes of tank cars. Manhole covers and outlet valve caps must be secured closed and be tight against the escape of vapor or liquids. This requires the use of suitable gaskets to insure effective results. It is also common knowledge that a tank car that leaks or that has not been properly tested and marked must not be used for the transportation of dangerous inflammable gasoline and the like. It follows therefore, that readily mutilated cardboard signs carrying these admonitions and stipulating that lights and fires must be kept away from the source of danger, should and can be made more permanent and serviceable. Therefore, in order to provide for a system more in keeping with the requirements of recognized authorities, I have found it expedient and practicable to devise and bring into being a substantially permanent and indestructible warning sign having suitable indicia printed thereon and adequately made to promote longevity and dependability.

In reducing to practice the principles of the present invention, I have worked out a simple and economical structural arrangement which, it is believed, aptly fulfills the requirements of the trade.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a View in section and elevation showing an assemblage devised in accordance with the principles of this invention to be hereinafter specifically described.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of what may be conveniently called the attaching fixture or bracket.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the plane of the line 33 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be observed that the mounting bracket or fixture is referred to as a unit by the numeral 4. This is formed from comparatively heavy strap metal. It is of general U-shaped form and the connective or bight portion 5 is proportioned to space the upper and lower limbs 6 in desired and predetermined parallel relationship. The upper comparatively short limb is provided with a square opening 8 forming a keeper. The extension 9 on the lower longer limb it has a bolt hole H and a slot I2 which features coact in facilitating reliable fastening of the bracket at a suitable place on the tank car (not shown). The limb to is also provided with a circular hole 13 directly beneath the keeper opening 8.

The detachable and adjustable sign assembly or unit comprises a rectangular sign plate [4 of appropriate dimension. This is sheet metal and properly painted and otherwise made to render it substantially indestructible. On one side will appear the adminition or noticeFull--Inflammable. On the opposite side (not shown) is the signal or warningEmpty Thus the sign with these signals is turnable and reversible so that the proper signal can be brought into play. One corner of the sign plate is secured by a rivet or the like l5 between the bifurcations l6 forming the upper bifurcated end of the rod. The lower cylindrical portion of the rod indicated at ll passes slidably and rotatably down through the hole l3 and terminates in a screw threaded stud i8 carrying a detachable hand knob l9. The upper portion is of polygonal cross section to provide fiat locking faces 20, these being engageable with the keeper opening 8 in an obvious manner. A coiled spring 2| surrounds the rod between the limbs 6 and 1 bearing at one end against the limb 6. At its opposite end it bears against a shim or take-up washer 22. The washer is of a diameter greater than the hole l3 to take care of wear and the spring bears against the washer, the washer serving to hold in place a cotter key or the like 23 to limit the downward sliding movement of the rod through the opening 13. This spring, pin and washer arrangement serves to maintain the fiat faced portion 20 of the rod securely against rotation in the opening or keyway 8. Thus we have a keyway and key locking connection between the rod and the limb 6 of the bracket unit 4. Incidentally, the numerals 24 designate braces to stabilize the parallel limbs of the bracket unit.

Normally where cardboard gasoline warning signs are employed when lading requiring the placard is unloaded from the car, the placard must be removed or reversed so that the plain side is visible. These cardboard signs however, are subject to rapid deterioration because of rain and other weather conditions. With the present arrangement, which is substantially indestructible, these objections are completely overcome. All that is necessary to turn or reverse the sign is. to catch hold of the knob l9 and push up on the rod to compress the spring. This raises the flat faced portion 20 above the keeper hole 8 allowing the sign to be turned around to the desired position and then dropped down and locked in place, as shown in the drawings. Hence, either face of the sign can be brought into proper warning position.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. As a component part of an assemblage of the class described, a substantially U-shaped bracket including upper and lower parallel limbs, the upper limb having a polygonal opening therein constituting a keeper seat, the lower limb having a rod opening directly beneath said keeper seat, the lower limb being longer than the upper limb and said extension providing reach means for attachment to a tank car, said extension having a slot for adjustable mounting.

2. In a warning device for use on tank cars, a substantially U-shaped attaching bracket having upper and lower parallel limbs, the lower limb being constructed for attachment to the car, said lower limb having a rod opening therein, the upper limb having an opening in registry with the first-named opening, said second opening being square, a warning sign, a rod, said rod being fixedly attached to said sign, said rod extending down through the upper and lower openings, the rod having on its intermediate portion a polygonal part releasably and slidably fitting in the square opening, the lower portion of the rod being cylindrical and extending down through and beyond said first-named opening, an actuating and rod handling knob on the lower end of said rod, and a spring mounted on and surrounding the rod between the limbs in the manner and for the purposes described.

3. As a new article of manufacture and as a component part of a structural assemblage of the class described, a sign unit comprising an indestructible plate having selectively usable indicia displayed on opposite sides thereof, a rod, the upper end of said rod being bifurcated, the furcations straddling and being attached to a perimeter portion of said sign, the lower end of said rod being provided. with a screw-threaded stud, a handle forming knob removably connected with said stud, the major portion of said rod being cylindrical in cross-section, a predetermined area thereof being rectangular in crosssection, said rectangular portion providing a plurality of fiat faced retention elements.

HARPER BAKER. 

